Aquarium Tips - How to easily catch small tropical fish

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Most popular comments
for Aquarium Tips - How to easily catch small tropical fish

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paul holdsworth - 8 years ago

Help me realize my fishy dream please take the time to look and if you can help thats amazing even if you just help me spread the word!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sustainable-live-ornamental-fish-farm/x/14303753#/

Arden Tizzy - 8 years ago

Catching easy fish , not all fish are that easy ...

iJustRich - 9 years ago

How have i not seen this yet?! i work in a petfood superstore that sells fish... definitely cutting a bottle in half when im next in haha

rko32491 - 8 years ago

HAVE TO TRIED 2 NETS

leda marie - 9 years ago

grab a large net and corner the fish in it, then use a small net to fish the little guy out,works every time.

Voeris - 9 years ago

Ahh! So clever! This will be useful for taking my cardinals out of their quarantine tank. Thank you!

Pondguru - 9 years ago

This video goes into more detail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCIThFbSO0c

David Rose - 9 years ago

Mark Moore - 10 years ago

this was the only way i could catch my small rainbows.... thanks for the video

Michael OConnor - 10 years ago

Great tip, top u tube channel, keep making these super videos please!

BigBadgers2001 - 10 years ago

Had to watch that twice, as it was so brilliantly simple. Your like the pied piper of fish, lol.

10. comment for Aquarium Tips - How to easily catch small tropical fish

Fauzi Atan - 11 years ago

Tysm pondguru..

Pondguru - 11 years ago

We normally just use the same bottle trap without the top part in and chase the larger fish in. Since they generally can't swim backwards they just sit there and you can list the bottle and fish out.

Fauzi Atan - 11 years ago

This is gre8 idea.. thanx.. btw.. can you give a tip how to catch large fish without stress? Like short body tiger oscar.. snakehead.. rtc and alligator gar? Ty..

Pondguru - 11 years ago

No worries, man. Thanks for appreciating the video.

Pondguru - 11 years ago

Just guide that one particular fish toward the trap. Or use 2 nets.

Gavin Steiner - 11 years ago

What if there's one specific fish I'm trying to catch out of 30? I'm trying desperately to catch a Chinese Algae Eater without stressing HIM, THEM or ME out! :-)

Nige - 11 years ago

What a cracking idea, thank-you very much. Have been trying to get some blue emperor tetras out of a Bio Orb tank into a bigger aquarium, you have saved me hours.

12Achilleas - 11 years ago

Cool nice and helpful tip

Why - 11 years ago

Can I see that in a 130 gallon lol seriously I couldn't for the life of me catch a neon tetra in my tank so hard to do in bigger tanks.

Pondguru - 11 years ago

No worries. Thanks for watching and appreciating the video.

20. comment for Aquarium Tips - How to easily catch small tropical fish

Leah Froehlich - 11 years ago

You just saved me hours of catching guppies! Thank you!

Pondguru - 11 years ago

No worries. The simplest methods are often the best.

Daddycus - 11 years ago

This method would have saved me so much time last night when I was trying to catch my two Featherfin Synodontis. I managed to wreck my set up as almost everything had to be disturbed. I'm going home to collect the plastic bottles and keep them ready for next time. Excellent tip.

MrKzug - 11 years ago

email me via YT, we'll take the conversation out of the public view.

Pondguru - 11 years ago

There is a local university which has just got European funding to support inventors with patents etc. so I'm getting on the phone to them in next couple of days but any tips you have would be greatly appreciated, man. Thanks for the offer.

MrKzug - 11 years ago

Patenting an idea is extremely hard, and costly... For the US, you can use the "pat pending", which is free, but does not protect outside the US. EM me when / if you have a minute, I'll give you a shortcut or two.

Pondguru - 11 years ago

No worries, man. The funnel trap idea has been around for a very long timeThe simplest solutions are often the best. Wait until you see my new filter designs. Can't show videos until I get the idea protected and they are in production but I'm hoping it's something people around the world are going to want to have in their tank worldwide. Watch out for that one.

MrKzug - 11 years ago

Thumbs up! Very neat trick.

Pondguru - 11 years ago

No worries. I really should re-do this video with some explaination on as this one looks a bit tired now.

Daniel merrell - 11 years ago

best magic trick i've seen lol

30. comment for Aquarium Tips - How to easily catch small tropical fish

gtariman03 - 12 years ago

Thanks a lot. I bought kuhli loaches and I temporarily put them in my goldfish tank because my tropical tank is not yet cycled. It took me like 30 minutes to catch all of them. Now this will make everything easier.

Pondguru - 12 years ago

Still not sure what that is asking. I would remove all the water and thoroughly clean the tank if that is the purpose of emptying the tank. Wash the gravel in tap water if you like as long as you wash the filter in tank water you've drained to seperate bucket.

Pondguru - 12 years ago

I'd just catch all the fish and remove them to the bucket with the tank water in. It would pay to half empty the tank into the bucket first. Once the fish and water are out you can just clean the gravel as you like then put the tank back together, starting with the gravel then water and fish. Not sure what number 5 is asking though.

Pondguru - 12 years ago

To clean the gravel, just use a gravel cleaner. It will stir up and remove the muck along with some water allowing you to do a water change too. Not sure what you're asking in the last part, man.

Pondguru - 12 years ago

No worries, thanks for watching.

UK FISH KEEPER - 12 years ago

That's a great tip, doesn't stress the little fish out at all, great Thank you !

Pondguru - 12 years ago

No worries. We do all orders and stock enquries over the phone on 01661844005. Thanks for watching.

joseph mccallum - 12 years ago

nice way to catch will defo use this and will be ordering some fish off you soon

ilya kiryuta - 12 years ago

Just use a small hook

Pondguru - 12 years ago

No worries. Thanks for watching.

microiguana - 12 years ago

@AwesomeAssassin1000 This is a fairly common problem of surface scum in the aquarium world. While what causes it is a whole other set of answers, the main cause of it is lack of surface disturbance. Simply putting in a bubbler will likely help or solve the problem. You might want to consider getting a protein skimmer, though it is probably not necessary. Anything to cause disturbance and motion to the surface of the water will do. In a big tank you might need multiple sources. hope this helps.

AquaMarine Crayon - 12 years ago

Hi I'm looking for a more or less common species of tropical fish that are a bit smaller than neon tetras, about 1 inch, I can't remember any of the names, if some one that knows could tell me it would be much appreciated. Thanks

frogbeergolfgolf - 12 years ago

Wait wait wait... I think I'm stupid.. Ok, someone explain to me how this works... If you put on the other portion of the bottle back into it how do the fish get in the back of the bottle and trap them?

GalaxyEspeon - 12 years ago

This is just brilliant! Thanks for the up load! I have 5 month old baby platy fish and I've worried when I have to clean the tank! :) Now I got a way to take them out safely!

Pondguru - 12 years ago

As long as it is removed, the source doesn't matter. Once it is gone it shouldn't come back.

Pondguru - 12 years ago

Sounds like organic matter coming out of the sand. Some sands will produce this. If you lay a sheet of newspaper over the surface it should pick it up. May need to do it a few times to catch all the floating muck.

GameFace49er - 12 years ago

Thanks! Good idea!

AweSomo84 - 13 years ago

@pondguru Seriously awesome idea i wish i know that ages ago! , i have a 1100 liter/300gallon tank and I HAD TO TAKE EVERYTHING OUT to catch 6 fish, I will try to find 10liter bottles or something similar to make something like you have. Need to catch fish soon again ,.. dmn babie cichlides every time!

Pondguru - 13 years ago

No worries, thanks for appreciating.

Oddgirl - 13 years ago

I so totally love you for this! I need to catch 7 tiny tetras in a planted 55 gallon tank and I was NOT looking forward to it. Thanks!

50. comment for Aquarium Tips - How to easily catch small tropical fish

Brenda Hodgins - 13 years ago

Wonderful, you will have saved the pounding of many a little fishes heart. - Simple free solutions are always my favorite! xoxo

Staticrado - 13 years ago

Thanks

tavogus 87 - 13 years ago

@Superthecod microsorum pteropus or java fern ;)

Pondguru - 13 years ago

No worries, thanks for appreciating.

Blunper - 13 years ago

what a stupid thing to do... _Just catch the fishes with the net!

Pondguru - 13 years ago

Java fern - Microsorum pteropus.

Staticrado - 13 years ago

what is that plant in the tank\

Pondguru - 13 years ago

Good video. If you lived up north, you wouldn't want to go in the river without waders on as its too damn cold.

rubadux - 13 years ago

Wow. I use the same trap pattern to catch minnows in a river. Only the water outlet holes are larger in the river type (see my video response: youtube.com/watch?v=LqhzhBrU6dE ). Now I see they are useful in an aquarium, too. I don't own one, but I'll go & tell my nephew who does. Thanks!

Pondguru - 13 years ago

The large entrancefunnels fish in and when they are in the bottle,there is only a small hole for them to get out of.

Pondguru - 13 years ago

Very good. The simple ideas are generally the best. Thanks for watching.

Pondguru - 13 years ago

No worries, thanks for appreciating.

twistingyou - 13 years ago

That is a fantastic idea, cheers for the new knowledge. My fish will be happy with their new food.

Pondguru - 13 years ago

It is a fish trap.

Pondguru - 13 years ago

No worries, man - thanks for appreciating.

lightman1969 - 13 years ago

Simple but quite effective indeed. Thanks for this tip...catching these little ones is going to be very easy and fun

Lachang Thao - 13 years ago

@pondguru No problem.

Pondguru - 13 years ago

No worries, thaks for appreciating.

Lachang Thao - 13 years ago

Thanks, now I wouldn't have a hard time catching my small fish's.

snip84 - 13 years ago

thats the plan....i need that to catch my sich yellowtail damsel. the little guys are preety fast, smart and i think they laugh at me when they see me with the net. couldnt catch anything till now :D

Saiju Jose - 13 years ago

Your collections are excellent. See our excellent exotic Ornamental fish farms in Kerala. We have awesome collection of fresh water ornamental fishes.Please watch our videos. Anna Aqua Pets -Ornamental fish farm in Kottat - Chalakudy - Thrissur DT- Kerala -India youtube.com/watch?v=tlalIQqsiUU youtube.com/watch?v=mpR8R_5_340

Pondguru - 13 years ago

No worries, thanks for watching.

Pondguru - 13 years ago

This creates the trap so they can't get out as easily.

Pondguru - 13 years ago

No worries, glad you appreciated it. Thanks for watching.

1989jimbob - 13 years ago

haha great idea! ive to transport a small, skittish clown loach soon, this will do the trick nicely!!

Pondguru - 13 years ago

No worries, I am suprised that I've never seen this method used in other aquatic shops. I don't like to stress the fish. Thanks for watching.

Pondguru - 13 years ago

Baiting is the way to go in a heavily planted tank or a malawi tank with lots of rocks. Thanks for watching.

cubaniton74 - 13 years ago

THAT'S BRILLIANT !!!!! The bottle could also be baited and left in the tank for a while and no chasing would be needed, but that is still BRILLIANT !!!!

Pondguru - 13 years ago

Thanks,man.

AViolentCobra - 13 years ago

@pondguru i fully agree, ignor what the others say, keep up the good work

Pondguru - 13 years ago

Some viewers don't see the worth in this method so thanks for being one of the people who think its a good idea. It allows us to have well planted tanks and still easily catch the fish without destroying the tank.

AViolentCobra - 13 years ago

O.o that...is...THE...most...brilliant...idea i have ever seen. you my good sir are a genius

glitterblunt - 13 years ago

WOW, thats a good idea :]

Darren Cook - 13 years ago

Good idea, sadly doesn't work as well for fry who like to hide in annoying places.

Pondguru - 13 years ago

Some people just can't see the value of this method but I'm glad you are one of the people who can. Thanks for watching.

Vadim Khan - 13 years ago

This is brilliant and simple. Thanks for the idea!

Pondguru - 14 years ago

Malawi/Tanganyikan cichlids what this method is really for. That and catching catfish which are spiny and would get stuck in the net. Thanks for watching.

MrEs47 - 14 years ago

ORRRRR you could use a net.

Pondguru - 14 years ago

Thanks for watching and appreciating. Some boneheads can't see the value in this method so I'm glad you think its a positive contribution to fishkeeping.

kitsunegari - 14 years ago

this is genius. I bought a few danios for my mother's large aquarium for her birthday last year, and kept them in my aquarium until I could get them to hers. They were just awful to catch, little devils, and I felt so sorry for chasing them around and frightening them. Very elegant solution.

nicofish1000 - 14 years ago

@pondguru yeah I throw some food on the surface and when they are all happily eating they dont realize the net is behind them.

Pondguru - 14 years ago

You've obviously never had Malawi cichlids in a rocky tank. Using this method at home you can bait the trap and check it periodically without pulling the tank to bits.

Pondguru - 14 years ago

You could try using a piece of drain pipe held down under a rock. When the fish goes in, put one of your hands over each end and lift it out of the tank. I used to catch trout in small streams like this.

Pondguru - 14 years ago

No worries. Thanks for the comment. I only just saw it today - 4 months after posting.

CemetaryGatesML - 14 years ago

heres my problem, i went to the store and bought a new net, its 8" across and 10" deep, its a big net, but i also got a big fish. so what happend waas that my fish blew right threw the net... fml.... i tryed the 2L bottle trick were you lay a bottle in the tank, wait till he swims in it the lift it via a string... as i lifted the bottle out od the tank... with that few 10" or so of dept room, he managed the jump out of the bottle and back into his tank. the second time , he bit the pull string

Pondguru - 14 years ago

It is very useful for catching malawi cichlids without destroying the tank. Thanks for watching.

abaneyone - 14 years ago

Wow! What a great idea. So simple yet so effective! I haven't even watched the video yet but you won me just by the description! I'm going to use this all the time I need to get fish out out of my 130 gallon tank. Thanks!!!

Marco Rivani - 14 years ago

noooo ma sei un genio

Ashraf Farid - 15 years ago

If you are aiming for only two or three fishes or a specific species its easie this way. Also better way if you don't want too spook your fishes too much. Thats how the biggies get bonked beaks

RichyReef - 15 years ago

I should start pulling my hair out, its getting long, my beard too hahaha :P Razor and bottle trap will work :D

100. comment for Aquarium Tips - How to easily catch small tropical fish

Pondguru - 15 years ago

At least you use ONE net, man - being a pro. When two get used I pull my hair out and thats why I am nearly bald.

RichyReef - 15 years ago

It can be helpful but i don't use one, i know how to use a net carefully without spooking fish :D I have use this method for catching nasty snails, baiting it with vegetable matter like lettuce :) Same for shrimps but i used shrimp pellets, left the lid on and poked a small hole in the lid big enough for the shrimps to get in but not fish :) Leave it overnight and check in the morning :)

Megaman DOM - 15 years ago

just catch them with the fish net. whats the big deal

Pondguru - 15 years ago

No problem. Shame we couldn't make a huge version and herd the growing population people scum of England into it and dump them in the sea............

Pondguru - 15 years ago

It is simply made by cutting the top third off a 2 litre plastic bottle, turning it around and putting it back inside the large bottom part of the bottle. This creates a funnel that the fish can easily swim into, but not easily get out of.

TheDesertShadow - 15 years ago

great idea next time i need to clean my tank i will use that method for gathering up my small fish. =)

Pondguru - 15 years ago

Yup, I cannot believe how long it takes some of those tools to catch fish. By the time they get it its heart rate is 6000 b.p.m. and half of its skin is missing from being scraped up the sides of the tank. Necessity is the mother of invention....

Beckie Boo - 15 years ago

hey this would save soo much time, ive sometimes waited 30 minutes for the poor assistants to catch the fish lol- great idea-thanks 4 sharing

Pondguru - 15 years ago

One star?? We must have some real experts at catching fish out there.Think its stupid? please read below.

Pondguru - 15 years ago

Did you read the description? This video was done in a tank where the trap wasn't really needed just to quickly illustrate fish going into the trap. Imagine trying to catch malawis in a tank at home with rocky caves and endless hiding places. Would you want to pull the display to bits? No, thought not. In a shop tank with loads of fish in, I agree it would be wasting time, but when you want to catch loaches etc. from a well set up aquarium without disturbing it, this method is invaluable.